There are innumerable ways in which infections and bacteria can be spread throughout many environments, especially in hospitals settings, this generally occurs as patients are often vulnerable. In this paper, the prevention of bacteria, infections and infection control will be discussed, as an act to hinder the spread of infections using hand hygiene. Strategies to prevent the spread of infection will be also discussed and explored through the use of an example case study of Mrs. Jones.
By using the case study of Mrs. Jones, the role of the nurse will be discussed, in relation to hand hygiene. When coming into contact with Mrs. Jones, or any patient, a nurse must only do so after completing appropriate hand hygiene, either debug (if hand aren't visibly soiled) or hand washing (if hands are visibly soiled), this can halt infectious agents that can put other patients at risk.
Identifying the spread of infection
Infections are the result from the presents of pathogens (Dempsey, Hillege & Hill, 2014). There are six components in the process of infection; Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry and the susceptible host (Dempsey, Hillege & Hill, 2014). Infectious agents, such as bacteria and virus’, are the most conspicuous way to spread infection within hospital settings, this may be because of the low immunity of patients, and the frequency in which people move around. The spread of infection can occur in any stage, whether it
Hand hygiene practices are important thing to infection prevention and control practice. As health provider especially ED staff or front liner, to follow hand washing protocols is necessary in any situation. According Practice Standard (2009) four major elements to preventing practice; hand washing, protective barriers, care of equipment and health practice of nurse. Cite from Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, scientists has found around 45% of infections can be prevented by washing hands regularly. MOH (2010) increasing in hand-washing compliance by
Implementation of patient care practices for infection control is the role of the nursing staff. Nurses are responsible for maintaining hygiene, consistent with hospital policies and good nursing practice on the ward and monitoring aseptic techniques, including hand-washing and use of isolation. It is also in their scope of practice to promptly report to the attending physician any evidence of infection in patients under the nurse’s care and initiating patient isolation and ordering culture specimens from any patient showing signs of a communicable disease, when the physician is not immediately available. Limiting patient exposure to infections from visitors, hospital staff, other patients, or equipment used for diagnosis or treatment and maintaining
Keeping our hands clean is one of the most effcient and important steps we can do as humans to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to other people. Unwashed hands spread many diseases such as the flue, E. coli, and salmonella. Unfortunately, hand hygiene is still one of today’s most leading causes of infection in health care facilities. The risk of clinicians, patients, and visitors not complying with hand hygiene protocols creates a practice problem for nurses and their patient care. The cause of health care infections, also known as, health care-associated infections (HAIs) are increasing along with the rise of the inability to control or treat infections that are multi-drug resistant. Lack of proper hand hygiene is a major problem in clinical settings sourcing from critical care divisions where the most contaminations are prevalent. This paper will discuss how hand hygiene affects the nursing process and solutions of how to better prevent HAIs within the nursing scope of practice.
This study was intended to prove that hand hygiene practiced according to the CDC guidelines will decrease the incidence of hospital acquired infections. This could not really be proved in this study since the hospitals were not able to maintain improvement in hand hygiene. Health care workers were familiar with guidelines but significant practice changes were not maintained. Some of the infection rates did improve during this time but the correlation with hand hygiene is not consistent. There were other practice changes occurring during this same time and those changes may be responsible for the decreased infection rates.
This assignment shall be identifying the evidence underpinning the skills and professional approach required in patient care. Hand hygiene is seen as a form of action that is done by using your hands to prevent the spread of harmful germs and infections, this action is performed by both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients before assisting with personal care involving touching. There are many different types of hand hygiene actions taken in the UK, these include Surgical Antisepsis, wearing gloves, washing your hands with a soap or alcohol-based formulation hand wash. It is important to always remain protected when touching a patient, their surroundings or body fluid.
One the main roles healthcare workers (HCWs) can do is to provide patients with a safe environment whilst they are in the healthcare setting. In providing clinical safety to patients HCWs are ensuring that the patient will be safe from preventable adverse events occurring to them whilst they are in the hospital setting. Patient safety should be a of high priority to the healthcare setting and HCWs. Nursing staff are the main providers of care to patients whilst in the healthcare setting and have many responsibilities in delivering safe patient care. Whilst in the healthcare setting patients are vulnerable and at the hand of healthcare workers, thus it is extremely important for healthcare workers to maintain hand hygiene. To maintain a
Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAI), not only by ensuring that all aspects of their nursing practice is evidence based, but also through nursing research and patient education.Hand hygiene is widely acknowledged to be the single most important activity for reducing the spread of disease.Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect both yourself and your patient from the risks of cross-infection.Gloves should be worn whenever there might be
The priority nursing diagnosis of hospital acquired infection is risk for any kind of infection. One of the main goals for each patient in the hospital is the patient will remain free of infection as evidence by absence of heat, pain, redness, or swelling in any area of the patient’s body during each nurse’s shift. (care plan book). Frequently hand washing is the best intervention for preventing infection. Hand washing reduces the risk of transmission of pathogens by inhibiting the growth of or killing the microorganisms. (cb)Proper sterile technique during urinary
In this essay the focus will be on the significance of hand hygiene within the care of patients and problems relating to the compliance of this. The essay will explore legislations such as The NHS Constitutions YEAR, Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct YEAR and the 6Cs of nursing, focusing on the relevance of these in relation to hand hygiene practice.
Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of individuals around the world. Hygienic hand washing has a significant impact on the transmission of Hospital Acquired Infections. There are a number of studies that assessed the effectiveness of hand hygiene with respect to reducing or preventing
The need to wash hands has been proven to be beneficial in decreasing Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) since the time of our foundress, Florence Nightingale was practicing. Though this is widely understood to be beneficial, healthcare providers have consistently scored poorly on studies regarding compliance to hand washing with a rate of 39% on average. In the United States, the healthcare industry has felt an economic burden due to HAI’s which account for the largest rate of morbidity and mortality. HAI prevention is possible with the practice of hand hygiene which is the single most important task healthcare providers can offer. Diegel-Vacek & Ryan, (2016).
To begin with, the correct hand washing is one of the simplest, but most powerful tools to prevent spreading many of the contagious diseases among humans. With proper technique, the odds of contracting a disease from interactions between humans, animals, and from food, water sources, and other items are significantly decreased. The author of this publication explains some of the circumstances when hand washing is advised. Furthermore, the type of water, soap, hand sanitizers and the proper technique and length of hand washing listed in his paper (Eaves, 2014). To support his views, paraphrases and direct quotes from several professor and microbiologist included in his work. One of the examples where he presented a quote can be seen in the following.
As part of the training, all patients and their families will be briefed on the importance of proper hand hygiene. This will be done on admission on the unit and as needed during their stay on the unit. The patients will be asked to speak up and remind any staff to follow proper hand hygiene before providing clinical care. Patient involvement will also be used at the evaluation stage through feedbacks on hand hygiene performance by the staff.
Hand hygiene is widely acknowledged to be one of the important precautions to reduce the spread of diseases. Hands should be decontaminated before direct contact with patients, and after any activity, including the removal of gloves. In order to prevent the spread of infections, health care workers must:
Modern hospital infection control programmes, first began in the 1950s , The Communicable Disease Center, now known as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), began the first training course specifically for infection control and infection. Prevention and control of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI`s), (Cdcgov, 2016) throughout clinical settings is a concern. Preventing the spread of disease from person to person , is priority in infection control. As we know hand washing is and has been the most effective way to preventing infections . However this alone cannot do the job . Patients , staff and visitors in any clinical setting could help by following proper guidelines , using proper hygiene wearing protective clothing such as gloves , hats gowns when appropriate . Preventing HAI`S are most important to those working or connected to the healthcare setting , ensuring minimal risk and exposure to everyone. All staff should demonstrate good infection control as infection control is every persons concern and thus is vitally important in today 's society to use and follow the proper procedures to continually fight the chain of infection.